Pubdate: Sat, 24 Feb 2001
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2001 Calgary Herald
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Author: Chris Buors

NEVER WAS AN ADDICT

Re: "Tewksbury fought marijuana addiction," Feb. 15.
Olympic gold medal winner Mark Tewksbury has done a disservice to cannabis 
users by labeling himself an addict. Addictions are stigmatizing terms that 
are culturally conditioned and reflect more what myths a culture is willing 
to believe than any supernatural force of allurement attributed to 
inanimate chemicals.

Addict is a term to stigmatize people who use the wrong social drugs.

The primary motivation in taking drugs is to enjoy ourselves, not to 
destroy ourselves. There is such a thing as responsible drug use and it is 
the rule, not the exception. Drug-taking is a vice, not a crime or a 
medical disorder.

Mark Tewksbury has changed his drug-taking lifestyle because he chose to 
change it. Let him be an even bigger inspiration than he already is for 
having the courage of his convictions to come out of the closet one more 
time as a former cannabis user.

Chris Buors

Winnipeg, Man. 
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